You have to hand it to Brendan Rodgers, he's not going to die wondering.

The safe option here, with top spot at stake against a Spurs side likely to flood midfield, would be to retain Joe Allen and press hard in the middle.

The Reds boss has never done safe though, and there is nothing but admiration for the fact he has boldly stated his belief his attacking players are better than the vistors'.

For the first time in five matches, he has gone with Sterling and Coutinho together. The last occasion? That nerve-shredding 4-3 against Swansea.

So you have been warned. But remember, this is the side that beat Arsenal 5-1, and the same formation (if not quite personnel) that thrashed Tottenham on their own ground.

If Liverpool have been bold, then you argue Tim Sherwood has been even braver, because there doesn't seem anything suspiciously like a defensive midfielder in his line up, and the strategy would appear to continue to be a defensive high line.

Anyone who remembers the chasing Sterling gave to the unfortunate Kyle Naughton at Whute Hart Lane (and is of the Red persuasion) will relish that.

But there is a school of thought which suggests the best way to unsettle Liverpool is to go at them. Villa got a point here doing that, Swansea so nearly did. Seriously, it could be any score. 5-4 anyone?!

4:04 pm

Ben Curtis

GOAL!

Huge, deafening rendition of You'll Never Walk alone rings out around Anfield.

And it has an immediate impact, too, as Liverpool GO AHEAD!

But for all that attacking might at the front of Liverpool's team, it's two Tottenham touches that send it in.

Own goal and own goal assist - Younes Kaboul the man.

4:08 pm

David Maddock

Liverpool 1-0

David Maddock has this to say on the first goal

Phew, deep breath required. We did warn you. And with Spurs playing a magnficently brave - or bonkers - high line, Liverpool have got in perhaps seven times already behind the visiting defence, within the first five minutes.

The only wonder is how they have scored only one goal. It was a fine one too, in the build up, even if Kaboul provided the Keystone Kop finish.

Hang onto your hats. This is going to be some ride. And some score.......

4:13 pm

Ben Curtis

Sturridge and Suarez nearly combine to double Liverpool's lead.

Sturridge does his best superman leap from the Uruguayan's cross, but it wasn't to be and it sails over.

Positive start from Liverpool, even despite that early goal.

Is there any way back for Spurs?

4:29 pm

Ben Curtis

GOOOAL! Liverpool 2-0

Yeah, wasn't particularly pretty, was it?

Kaboul in all kinds of problems for the first.

But now there's yet MORE to be concerned about as Luis Suarez makes it two.

Tottenham at sixes and sevens at the back. 2-0.

Alex Livesey

4:34 pm

Oliver Holt

The title charge continues

Here's what chief sports writer Oliver Holt has made of the first half-hour:

All the talk before the game was about whether Liverpool could cope with the nerves of playing for the right to go top of the table.

They answered that question inside two minutes when they scored the opening goal. Nerves also tend to fly away when you have a striker of the quality of Luis Suarez, who pounced on a mistake by Younes Kaboul and ran half the pitch to score a superb second.

If Suarez and Sturridge keep scoring, anything is possible.

4:36 pm

David Maddock

You have to say, for the second goal, Spurs were seriously hampered by an injury to Vertonghen just before Suarez took his tally to 29 for the season. Hampered that is, by the fact it wasn't Kaboul who went off, because so far the visiting skipper is having a mare.

The first goal, you felt sorry for him, but the second was criminal. You can't hestiiate on the ball when Luis Suarez is around - I think it has been conclusively established by now, this dervish of a striker hardly needs any help from the opposition.

The intent he showed when charging past Dawson was incredible. He really wants this, you can see, and it's hard to see anyone stopping him.

A word on the atmosphere, by the way. Where it was anxious on Wednesday night, and eventually restricted the Reds, here it is passionate and encouraging. I haven't experienced this sort of emotion for some time at Anfield - it is spine-tingling...and an incredible sign of what Liverpool are doing here.

4:45 pm

Ben Curtis

Simon Mignolet parries away Roberto Soldado's strike, but it's been all too quiet up top for Tottenham so far.

But then normal service is resumed. Suarez has a header parried onto the bar by Hugo Lloris with a fine save.

Well, if there were any nerves among Liverpool's squad, it didn't take long to get rid of them.

Just over a minute, in fact.

Early goal, then a cushion through Luis Suarez later in the half. Liverpool 2-0 up and speeding to another three points.

Tottenham, well, are struggling.

4:56 pm

David Maddock

David Maddock's half-time wrap

You have to say, for the second goal, Spurs were seriously hampered by an injury to Vertonghen just before Suarez took his tally to 29 for the season. Hampered that is, by the fact it wasn't Kaboul who went off, because so far the visiting skipper is having a mare.

The first goal, you felt sorry for him, but the second was criminal. You can't hestiiate on the ball when Luis Suarez is around - I think it has been conclusively established by now, this dervish of a striker hardly needs any help from the opposition.

The intent he showed when charging past Dawson was incredible. He really wants this, you can see, and it's hard to see anyone stopping him.

A word on the atmosphere, by the way. Where it was anxious on Wednesday night, and eventually restricted the Reds, here it is passionate and encouraging. I haven't experienced this sort of emotion for some time at Anfield - it is spine-tingling...and an incredible sign of what Liverpool are doing here.

Alex Livesey

5:07 pm

Ben Curtis

And we're back!

Liverpool resume their charge for three points with a positive start to the second half.

No messing about here.

Keep this up, and they're 585 minutes from winning the title.

Or something like that.

5:15 pm

Ben Curtis

GOAL! 3-0

And that's sealed the points for Liverpool.

Philippe Coutinho strikes the ball sweetly past Lloris to make it three.

The home side absolutely rampant. This could turn very messy.

5:25 pm

David Maddock

David Maddock's reaction to 3-0

Game over. The only question now, surely, is whether Liverpool will want to enhance their goal difference, given how important that could be come the season's end.

They have dominated this game, and exposed Tottenham as a side without leadership, and without, seemingly, a clear idea of what they should be doing. No wonder Daniel Levy was sat staring enviously at Brendan Rodgers from the directors' box. Was that a hint of drool on his lips?

The most remarkable thing about this Reds performance so far, is the complete lack of any apparently pressure on them. They have played with a freedom which is stunning given the position they find themselves in. If they can play with the same joyful abandon in their remaining games, then yes, they will win the title.

5:31 pm

Oliver Holt

Damning verdict on Spurs

Liverpool have been excellent this afternoon, particularly Suarez and Coutinho, but their job has been made an awful lot easier by this Spurs side.

Spurs, frankly, have been rank. They have lacked purpose, cohesion and hunger. They have played like a rabble whose season is already over. Some thought this might be a difficult game for Liverpool but they couldn’t have been more wrong.

On the evidence so far, they might as well have got a stepladder out and helped Liverpool to the top of the league.

5:37 pm

Ben Curtis

GOAAAL! 4-0

Well, it's turning into a bit of a blood bath for Spurs.

Jordan Henderson whips in a free-kick, nobody gets a touch on it and the Reds go four up.